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| Lake City Opens 2002 Season | By Sharon Fancher
(KNS)After last weeks cancellation due to Mother Nature, Lake City Speedway welcomed the opening of the 2002 season. The hunger to race was clearly seen amongst the drivers on this fast 3/8 banked oval.
The night got underway with a total of 19 Pure's starting a wild opening heat show. Having to be broken up into two heats proved a necessity. Leaving the #65 of Coleman Jandele as the pole sitter.
After several cautions keeping the field tightly knit and holding the #9 of Jean O'Steen proved opening night to be Colemans time to shine, capturing the 2002 opening night feature. Leaving the #9 of Jean O'Steen to take second, followed by #97 Of Joey Roland for third, #6 Nick Brown to take fourth and #38 of Troy Davis to take the fifth spot.
The Street Stock heat race also seen some furious battling with their starting heat race getting underway. With the 2001 point's champion #31of Shane Taylor to take the pole starting position in the feature race. After a nose to tail battle between the #33 of Eric Gambrone and the #31 2001 points champion proved the #31 to be the stronger of the two to take the win.
Following a heated battle for third were the #55 Jackie Thompson and #X22 of Wayno Risner, leaving the #55 to take the third place position, leaving #X22 to settle for fourth and fifth being taken by the # 37 of Lee Brinkley.
The Mini Stock class which has always been a favorite of mine to watch, and doesn't really get a whole lot of recognition, and seems to always have a good field, started the night's third event of the evening. Proving to be just as exciting race. The #03 of Curtis Clark took the pole position to start the heat event. After a few minor cautions and changes of positions the #77 of Jeff Stalnaker Sr. started this feature race. A heated battle broke out between the #77 Mustang and the # 72 Pinto of Jake Hartley , the #77 proving to be the faster of the two coming away with the win, with Jake having to settle for second. Followed closely for third was the #12 of Rickie Riedel, #29 of Drew Smith and leaving the #03 of Curtis Clark to take fifth.
The Limited two's were supposed to start the fourth event followed by the Modifieds, but due to minor discrepancy's, and turnout of the two classes it was decided by the driver's and Owner to cancel these two events for the evening.
Last but not least by any means left the Late Model Series to put on the last exciting show of the evening. After qualifications the feature race got underway with the #27 of Bobby Paegent to take the early lead in this event. With a select few cautions and a very close kept field the #27 managed to take the win following in second was the #04 of Earl Boyett #07 of David Clegg to take third, #46 of Everett Philips to take fourth and fifth place taken by the # 88 of Chris Vogel.
*Writers Note
I would like to apologize for the race report not being more detailed in the events, but this was my first night of visiting Lake City Speedway and I am trying to learn the Driver's names and numbers here in Florida. So if any of the names are incorrectly spelled I do apologize. I would like to thank Jimmy Parker for allowing me to cover his track and for trying to make this facility as safely run as possible.
He did a great job last night getting out and meeting the folks and running the races fairly smooth after the lengthy break. He is also very safety conscious which I was glad to see. Also I would like to thank the point's ladies Shirley and Kim for their help with the names of these driver's, "Thanks Ladies".This track surprised me with the speed these drivers were able to maintain while racing. Looking forward to next weeks events and getting aquatinted with more of the driver's. Everyone be safe and take care.
-Sharon Fancher
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